Rodeo

3)

Brandon paced angrily back and forth in his motorhome. "Who the fuck does he think he is?" We had ended up staying for Noah's pictures, courtesy of Ty.

And as I stood next to Ty, Noah looked at me, instead of the camera. I couldn't break the eye contact, and I knew Ty was trying to talk to me but I couldn't focus on what he was saying. It was like I was put in a trance.

"No seriously. Why does he have to act so fuckin entitled!" Brandon crossed his arms. "Are you even listening to me?" I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him.

"Mhm." I nodded, leaning back into his couch. "Just thinking about water."

"Oh right. Sorry." He says, putting the waterbottle he was supposed to give me earlier on the table next to the couch. I nodded a thanks, and grabbed it. "Don't you always have to go to the bathroom with how much water you drink?"

"Sometimes." I shrugged, "It's part of the 'diet' I got put on."

"Anyways. You see what I'm talking about with Noah, don't you?"

"Actually Brandon, Noah didn't say too much to me." I shrugged, "I can't judge him yet."

"That's true." He nodded, "But you'll see what I'm talking about."

I wasn't so sure that I would. Something told me that Noah was unfairly judged. But then again there was always that one driver everyone hated, yet they couldn't argue with the results.

"Anyways, we have qualifying in a few minutes. Let's go." I grabbed my helmet and my gloves, stuffing the gloves in my pocket after zipping up my fire suit. We headed out of the infield, and to the garage. Ty waved at us from the gate with Noah beside him, already having his suit and helmet on. He jogged towards us, and then took my gloves as I put my helmet on.

Then he motioned for me to hold out my hands as he put them for me.

"You're acting like my big brother." I chuckled.

"I've gotta play the part. You're younger than I am." He pointed out.

"You just love to rub that in my face, don't you?" I narrowed my eyes on him as we walked towards our pit stalls. Surprisingly, his was right next to mine.

"Just a little."

"Pride is a sin, christian boy."

"Shut up." He playfully shoved me, laughing.

"Quit playing around! Let's go!" Ty's crew chief huffed.

"Yes dad." He sassed.

"Thank god you don't act like that." Donnie laughed. I shook my head and got into the car, flipped the switch and then pulled out of pit road. Me and Ty were side by side as we raced around the track.

"Are you racing him on purpose?"

"This time, no." I admitted. The two laps went by fast, until I got stuck behind Riley and Ty. I was boxed in.

"What's he doing?"

"Purposely slowing you down."

"That's legal?!"

"No."

"Then why isn't-"

"His crew chief is yelling at him to move faster. He won't do it."

"Tell him to move or I'll move him myself." I rolled my eyes.

"Relax for a second. Deep breaths."

---------------------------------------------------
I sighed, seeing the results up on the screen. I ended up in thirteenth, when I could've landed that fifth position. The fact that I knew I was capable but the opportunity just wasn't there was really disappointing. I shook my head, taking off my equipment.